[Author's note: Here's a rough draft of the beginning of Zarina and co's first short story. More will be added here over time. Please leave comments/ constructive criticism on this doll: http://www.dolldivine.com/Princess/Belnika-2930776 - Thank you!]
A Fine Damsel?
(*)
A lark sang from its perch on a fence post, calling attention to the comfortable quality of the day. The flowers along the side of the road spoke to the season - mid-spring - and the performance of the weather was in fine form. The sun shone down on the road and the hamlet alongside, its soothing warmth tempered to ‘just right’ by the gentle ( )eeze.
The lark’s song cut of and it noisily flapped away to the safety of some nearby trees, spooked by the swift, noisy skipping of a young lady with blue hair. Her curls bounced behind her as her skipping stride ate up the road, putting distance between herself and her companions. They, for their part, maintained their relaxed pace as they were content to let her go on ahead. After all, they were both tired and she was hardly helpless. Not to mention they were nearly inside the walls, which put the danger level at a minimum.
The woman on the right shook her head, a reluctant smile on her face, as she watched her companion hop down the road. She let out a soft scoff and said, “You know sometimes I could swear she was still a child.”
The other woman laughed, pushing a wayward strand of orange hair behind her ear.
“Yes,” she responded, “and then she goes and saves both our lives with one stone from her sling and suddenly you’re very aware of how grown-up she is. She’s come a long way just in the short time I’ve been with you; she must have made leagues of progress since you two started out.”
“It’s true. A year ago she was a liability. I was always on edge, waiting for something to happen to her. But she’s done well. She’s much tougher than I gave her credit for.”
Up ahead, the skipper stopped and turned, bending toward them with a big smile on her face.
“Come on, guys!,” she called. “We’re almost there! How can you move so slowly when there are hot meals and warm baths to be had?”
She spun and skipped off again as her old friend called back, “They’ll still be there in five minutes time! Like [i]syrin[/i] I’m going to use more energy than I need to.”
Her orange-haired friend gasped in mock-astonishment, “Language, Zarina! Really!”
Zarina just laughed and stretched her hands over her head as she watched the looming town grow gradually larger.
Adelina explored ahead of them through the first few yards of town, then hurried back to the gate to wait for her older companions. She tired her hair back, flushed but smiling, as they caught up to her.
"I can already smell honey swirls!," she said when they'd drawn level with her. She licked her lips just thinking about the sticky treats. "Do you think we could spare a few coin to buy some?"
Zarina sighed good-naturedly and drew a few coins out of the pouch at her hip, saying, "I suppose. As long as you get one for each of us." She took a moment to look around as Adelina darted off. The town opened almost directly into a square. Currently, the vendors had laid claim to the place, setting up their stalls wherever they could find room. Most offered produce or jams for sale, but a few rare stalls had what looked to be some fine cloth and jewels.
Bethina, Zarina's newest recruit, put a hand on the warrior;s arm for a moment to catch her attention. "While Ade's at the bakers, I think I'll look around some."
Zarina nodded understanding and watched with a knowing smile as her friend went directly to the high-end stalls. She seemed interested in some fine gold fabric with a sheer quality and a brilliant sheen. Zarina couldn't blame her, really. Bethina had been brought up in a monestary of the Sun Mages. Their vestments were always grand and shining, but Bethina hadn't had anything of the sort to wear for some time now. They absolutely [i]didn't[/i] have the funds for that fabric, but Beth was both aware and pragmatic. No harm in letting her look.
As Zarina continued to look around, she noticed the square was decked out in flowers, ribbons, and flags - one of which was very large and bore what Zarina assumed was the local lord's coat of arms. She wondered if his birthday might have been recent. Familiar footsteps and a delicious scent brought her attention away from the decorations and she happily accepted a honey swirl from Adelina.
The younger woman looked up at the flag, licking her fingers. "Rather festive isn't it? Wonder what the occassion is - do you think there will be a festival?," she asked, her face lighting up.
Zarina shrugged and said, "If we're lucky. Go and fetch Bethi. We need to find a place to stay."
"Ok!" Adelina hopped off to give their friend her swirl and pull her away from the stall. Bethina went reluctantly, giving the vender her apologies and excuses.
The three of them walked up the street and out of the square munching on their honey swirls and taking in their surroundings. Zarina spotted what looked to be a decent inn and made her way inside with the other two trailing behind. Seeing no one at the counter, she quickly finished her sweet and licked her fingers before ringing the service bell.
A round, grey-haired lady hurried to the counter from a back room and patted herself down in search of a pen. Upon finding one, she flipped her register open to a new page and looked up at Zarina with a well-rehearsed smile. A lifetime of practice apparently couldn't prepare her for guests like Zarina, however, and the smile faltered at the sight of armor and weapons.
TBC |
